How to Remove a Watch Back to Replace the Battery

If your watch has been losing time or has stopped running entirely, you may need to replace its battery. For most inexpensive wrist watches, this simply entails popping the back of the watch off, pulling the old battery out and sliding a new battery in its place. For more expensive watches, however, this process is more involved, as there are a variety of back plates used on different brands of watches. Some watches may require special tools to remove the back plates. In this case, you will need to take the watch to a jeweler or specialist.

How to Remove a Watch Back to Replace the Battery
(Grayson Dere Photography/Demand Media)
Things You'll Need
Small screwdriver or dulled knife
Small coin such as a penny or dime
Retainer wrench (for retainer back watches)
Rubber-tipped opener (for screw back watches)
Soft, non-abrasive cloth

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Watches with a Snap-on Back
Place the watch face down on your soft cloth. This will prevent scratching the face of the watch. Search for the small groove that runs around the edge of the back casing of the watch.


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Watches with a Snap-on Back
Work the head of a small screwdriver or the edge of a small, dull knife gently into the groove.

Watches with a Snap-on Back
Give the screwdriver or knife a slight twist. This should cause the back plate of the watch to pop off, revealing the battery beneath. Carefully remove the battery and replace it with the new. The back should easily snap back into place.


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Watches with a Hatch Back
Place the watch face down on a soft cloth. You should see small slots on the back of the plate.


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Watches with a Hatch Back
Place the edge of a small coin, such as a dime or penny, into the slot and turn it counter-clockwise.This should loosen the hatches.


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Watches with a Hatch Back
Finish unscrewing the hatches with your fingers. Pay special attention to not allow the battery or batteries to fall out of the watch, as you need to note their position in order to correctly place the new battery. After the hatches are removed, the batteries will fall out if you turn the watch over.


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Watches with a Screw-on Back
Place the watch, once again, face down on the soft cloth so as to avoid scratching its surface.


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Watches with a Screw-on Back
Push a rubber-tipped opener directly into the center of the back plate of the watch. If you do not have a rubber-tipped opener, you may need to take the watch to a jeweler or purchase a tool kit specifically made for watch repair.

Watches with a Screw-on Back
Maintain pressure on the opener and turn it counter-clockwise. The back plate of the watch will unscrew, giving you access to the battery.


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Watches with a Retainer Ring Back
Position the watch face down on a soft cloth and search for the small wrench slots located on the back plate of the watch. There should be at least four small slots along the perimeter of the plate.


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Watches with a Retainer Ring Back
Slide the metal tips on your retainer wrench into the slots. You may need to make the proper adjustments on the wrench in order to get to the proper size. If you do not have this wrench, you may, again, need to take your watch to a service technician or purchase a watch repair kit.


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Watches with a Retainer Ring Back
Turn the wrench counter-clockwise after you’ve fitted it correctly into the slots. Loosen the plate. Remove the retainer ring and the back plate in order to change the battery.


Grayson Dere Photography/Demand Media